More Inline Planet Articles About Inline Skating ... Listed in reverse order of publication

Forget Dr. Scholl's ... The Best Solution for Blistered Feet Is Ezeefit's Ankle Booties
I skated with pain for more than a month after my new racing skates arrived. I tried all the recommended remedies, but nothing worked. ... Then I got my feet into a pair of Ezeefit ankle booties. ... Ah, what a relief it is! Happy feet are back again. (Here's the Planet review of the Ezeefit ankle booties.) (April 23, 2005)

Inaugural Metrodome Marathon Proves a Success
A 19-year-old Illinois skater won the individual marathon. But the biggest show of the day was the team marathon, which attracted a cheering section that would have made the Vikings proud. ... And it all happened indoors! (Here's the Planet report of the Metrodome Inline Marathon!) (April 18, 2005)

Fila Flexes its Muscle, Bont Proves Itself a Contender in Taipei World Inline Cup
Rollerblade's Jorge Botero's sixth place finish in today's Taipei Inline Marathon was enough for him to hang on to the lead in the World Inline Cup. But hot on his heels now are Luca Saggiorato and Max Presti, who finished first and second in a familiar display of Fila power. ... It was a day of redemption in Taipei as Bont placed skaters third (Luca Presti) and ninth (Francesco Zangarini), and Theresa Cliff returned to form with a win in the women's race. ... (Here's the Planet story!) (April 17, 2005)

Top Teams Have Lots to Prove as World Inline Cup Moves to Taipei
The first stage of the World Inline Cup last week in Seoul proved that Fila International could be beaten ... at least in the rain. But tomorrow's forecast is for clear skies in Taipei. So there will be no excuses and lots on the line at the top teams line up for the second stage of the World Inline Cup. (Here's the Planet preview!) (April 16, 2005)

300 Skaters Expected at Inaugural Metrodome Inline Marathon
Most inline marathons are run on long road courses that give racers plenty of elbow room. But what do you do if your racecourse is only 605 meters long? ... That was the question faced by the organizers of this weekend's Metrodome Inline Marathon in Minneapolis. The answer they came up with will apparently add up to another big win for Minnesota skaters. (Here's the Planet preview of the Metrodome Inline Marathon!) (April 15, 2005)

Group Admits Mistake, Returns Inline Skating to Top-30 List!
Inline skating is back on the list of the top sports activities in the USA. The Sporting Goods Manufacturing Association says an oversight resulted in the sport being dropped from the Top-30 list that it released earlier this week. On the updated list, inline skating is ranked 21st. (Here's the Planet story!) (April 13, 2005)

Is This Man Happy or What!
Jorge Botero's long dry spell in the World Inline Cup ended Sunday when he won the rain-soaked Seoul World Inline Cup Marathon. ... He didn't wait long to start celebrating, as you can see from this jubilant shot of him crossing the finish line. (Here's a few great photos from the finish of the men's and women's Seoul World Inline Cup!) (April 12, 2005)

Inline Skating Falls From List of Top U.S. Sports
For the first time since the early 1990s, inline skating has failed to make the list of the 30 most popular sports activities in the United States. What displaced it: stationary cycling! ... Oh, yeah. Us Americans love our stationary bikes. They give us a chance to catch up on our back issues of People magazine! (Here's the Planet story!) (April 11, 2005)

Mesa and Schecter Roll to Victory in the Great Orlando Inline Marathon
Two Colombian transplants, Edgar Mesa and Hernan Diaz, finished first and second Sunday in the 2005 Great Orlando Inline Marathon in Florida. In the women's race, Naomi Schecter edged out Stacey Eldridge in the sprint. (Here's the Planet story!) (April 11, 2005)

Matzger and Perkins Win the Greg Levien 50 K in California
Ultra-marathon champs Eddy Matzger and Kim Perkins opened their 2005 campaigns today with wins in the Greg Levien 50 K Road Skate in San Mateo, California. Both Matzger and Perkins won handily in the season opener of the Dan Burger Race Series. (Here's the Planet story!) (April 10, 2005)

Botero and Gomez Win the Seoul World Inline Cup Marathon
Rollerblade's Jorge Botero won the rain-soaked Seoul World Inline Cup Marathon after he and three other skaters pulled away from the main pack 15 kilometers from the start and never looked back. ... In the women's race, Powerslide's Sandra Gomez and Brittany Bowe finished first and second after a rough finish which led to the disqualification of two skaters. (Here's the Planet story!) (Here's the list of top finishers!) (April 9, 2005)

Saab-Salomon Team Expected to Race on 110 mm Wheels in Seoul
Supersonic co-founder Juan Carlos Betancur says he expects the Saab-Salomon World Team to race on 110 mm wheels tomorrow in the Seoul World Inline Cup Marathon. If so, it would mark a new jump in size for wheels used in the World Cup. Last year, Fila International sparked the move to 100 mm wheels. ... Betancur talks about Saab-Salomon's prospects for the 2005 racing season in his interview with the Planet. He is joined by Saab-Salomon's team leader Pascal Briand. ... (Here's the Planet interview with Betancur and Briand!) (April 9, 2005)

Team Rollerblade Appears Ready to Challenge in the 2005 World Inline Cup
Rollerblade World will be one of the teams to watch this Sunday as the 2005 World Inline Cup opens in Seoul, Korea. The team had a disappointing season last year, finishing a distant fourth. But this year, with two new skaters on its roster, it appears to be capable of greater things. (Here's the Planet's Preview of the 2005 Rollerblade World Team!) (April 8, 2005)

Outdoor Season Opens Sunday in N. California With the Greg Levien 50 K
You can tell it's spring in Northern California when the smell of flowers fills the air and D. Miles lines 'em up for the first race of the Dan Burger Point Series. The Greg Levien 50 K is on a scenic and demanding road course south of San Francisco; it inludes a casual 10 K skate; and it attracts a modest but enthusiastic crowd that often includes some of the best long-distance skaters in the country. (Here's the Planet preview of the Greg Levien 50 K!) (April 7, 2005)

Rollerblading Crime Wave Spreads Across DVD Landscape!
Last fall came the release of "Paranoia Agent," a Japanese anime film featuring a bat-wielding rollerblader in the midst of a one-kid crime wave. Now comes the DVD release of "Steal," a Miramax film that features a whole gang of rollerblading bad boys and a beautiful blond cop who suffers repeat clothing malfunctions. (Here's the Planet story!) (April 5, 2005)

Fila's Manager Says Team's Best Could Be Enough To Win World Cup Again This Year
Last year, it wasn't even close. The Fila International men's team made hamburger of the World Inline Cup. It racked up almost 800 points more than its nearest competitor and placed skaters one-two-three in the individual rankings. ... But can the Fila juggernaut continue to roll in 2005? ... We'll get some idea Sunday when the team lines up in Seoul for the first World Cup marathon of the season. But in the meantime, here's an interview with Fila's manager, Ippolito Sanfratello, who says, "We'll just try to do our best, and this will be enough to be on top." (Here's the Planet interview with Ippolito Sanfratello!) (April 4, 2005)

Taiwan Expects 10,000 to Skate in Inaugural Taipei Inline Marathon
The Taiwanese apparently don't believe in starting small. Their first-ever international inline skating event, the Taipei World Inline Cup 2005 (April 17th), is expected to draw 10,000 skaters, which will make it one of the largest skating events in the world. (Here's the Planet story!) (April 2, 2005)

The Inline Planet Pokes Fun at the Roller World!
Need a chuckle? ... Click here for the Planet's 2005 April Fool's Day Blogs. April Fool's Day, 2005!

United Skate Schools Group Unveils Instructor Certification Program
The recently formed United Skate Schools Group has announced its own certification program for inline instructors. Instructors have been without a certification program since the International Inline Skating Association closed its doors in December. United Skate's director Janet Miller Sheehan said the program fills an "immediate need." ... Instructors may soon have a choice of certification programs: USA Fit is planning one of its own. (Here's the Planet story!) (March 29, 2005)

Report From Korea: Despite Growing Pains, Inline Skating Continues to Flourish
The explosion of inline skating in South Korea has been one of the bright spots for the sport in the last few years. But recent reports have suggested that the boom might be over. ... We didn't know what to think, so we decided to check in with Korean skater and webmaster JinWoo Lee. He told us that while inline skating is experiencing some growing pains in Korea, it seems to be flourishing and even becoming more popular. (Here's the Planet report on skating in South Korea!) (March 24, 2005)

Defending Road Rash Champ Hopes for Spot on World Team
Randy Bowman will be defending his title as king of the Texas Road Rash on Sunday. And then it will be back to the grindstone as the 22-year-old Ohio native prepares himself for the Outdoor National Championships, where he hopes to win a spot on the U.S. World Team. (Here's the Planet profile of inline speed skater Randy Bowman!) (March 18, 2005)

Can the Sports Capital of Texas Keep the Road Rash Growing?
The city of Round Rock and Austin speed skater Richard Littrell got the Texas Road Rash off to a great start last year. Now the question is: Can they turn their well-run, early-season inline marathon into a financially self-sufficient, annual event? ... (Here's the Planet preview of the 2005 Texas Road Rash!) (March 17, 2005)

Roller Federation's New Size Limit Halted Bont's Plans for 105 mm Skates
The skate maker Bont had hoped to liven things up this year by introducing 105 mm racing skates. But its plan got shot down by the new 100 mm size limit of the International Roller Sports Federation. Now Bont is playing catch up. It plans to go into production soon with its 100 mm wheels. (Here's the Planet story!) (March 14, 2005)

eToys Selects Fisher-Price's Kid Skate As One of Its Top "Activity Toys"
The online merchant eToys has included Fisher-Price's My First Skates on its obesity-busting list of top "activity toys" for children. The Fisher-Price skates are cleverly designed and get rave reviews from many parents. (Here's the Planet storylet!) (March 8, 2005)

Valerie Leftwich: the Roller Sports Leader From Down Under
Valerie Lefwich, the new first vice-president of the International Roller Sports Federation, is not a speed skater herself. Nor was she in her youth. But nevertheless, she is a big supporter of the federation's plan to make inline speed skating the first Olympic roller sport. The plan, she says, represents "an honest appraisal of our sport." ... We caught up Valerie after her return from the federation's special election last month in Rome and found her to be nothing but generous and gracious. ... Thank you, Valerie, and good luck in your new post! (Here's the Planet profile of Valerie Leftwich!)(March 8, 2005)

Aggressive Skaters Form International Federation To Promote Their Sport
Aggressive skaters finally have an international organization to promote their sport. The new group is called the International Inline Stunt Federation. It was formed this weekend by skaters and promoters meeting in Tehachapi, Calif. (Here's the Planet story!) (March 6, 2005)

Inline Skating Is Reportedly Being Axed from the X Games
Inline skating has slowly been disappearing from ESPN's X Games. Back in the mid-1990s, the televised spectacle of extreme sports included four inline events. But the number was halved in 1999 and halved again last year, leaving only one inline event: inline vert, with the men and women (actually, there was only one woman) combined. ... Well, reportedly this year, for the first time ever, the X Games will have NO inline events. (Here's the Planet story!) (March 3, 2005)

Cactus Classic Fails to Meet Fund Raising Goal; Will Be Put on Hold For One Year
Organizers of the Cactus Classic Inline Marathon had hoped to raise $15,000 by now to keep the event going another year. But they've only been able to raise a third of that amount, and so the Arizona desert classic will be put on hold, until at least 2006. (Here's the Planet story!)

Camp Rollerblade Expands to Test the Market for Day Camps
When Camp Rollerblade was announced a couple months ago, it seemed like little more than a neat repackaging of Zephyr Adventures' Learn to Skate Camps. But it turns out that it will be more. ... Camp Rollerblade announced today it has added two new sessions -- one for adults, one for kids -- to test market the idea of inline "day camps." (Here's the Planet story!) (February 28, 2005)

Another Online Merchant Reports Strong Skates Sales - Could this be the start of a trend? A month ago, Skates-dot-com reported that its Internet sales had "taken off." Now we hear from the Inline Warehouse that its sales are increasing every month. ... So what's happening? Are more people buying skates? Or is it just that more people are buying them online? ... We'd like to believe the former, but whatever it is, it sure is making the online merchants happy! (Here's the Planet Interview with Stan Chaves of the Inline Warehouse!) (February 25, 2005)

Organizer Plans to Turn SF Kids Into Inline Speed Champs - David Miles, president of the California Outdoor Rollerskating Association, has found that San Francisco school children know little, if anything, about inline racing. But he's not ready to give up on them. In fact, he's put together a program designed to turn some of those kids into inline champions. (Here's the Planet story!) (February 22, 2005)

No Chance for the Olympics, But Rollergirls May Be Headed for Prime Time
Those demure Lonestar Rollergirls -- among them Honey Homicide, Scarlett O'Terror, Miss Conduct and Helena Handbasket -- may get some help this year with their oversized bills for fishnet stockings and dog collars. They've been optioned to do a cable television show. (Read the Planet story!) (February 19, 2005)

Two Speed Skaters, One Hockey Player Win Entry Into Roller Hall of Fame
Cheryl Ezzell, Gypsy Tidwell and Dieter Kochan have won spots in USA Roller Sports' Hall of Fame. Also to get the nod are artistic coaches Jerry and Marlene Bruland... What do they all have in common: They have been -- or have coached -- world champions. (Here's the Planet story!) (February 19, 2005)

Rollerblade, Sports Industry Decry Proposed Bush Budget Cuts
Budget cuts proposed by the Bush administration threaten Rollerblade's Skate in School program and financing for new multi-use trails, according to industry officials. "This is terrible news," says Rollerblade's Nick Skally. (Here's the Planet story!) (Tuesday, February 15, 2005)

Olympic Committee Sends Roller Sports a Second Questionnaire - The International Olympic Committee has asked for more information about roller sports' proposal for inclusion in the 2012 Olympic Games. Among the questions is a request for more detail about how skaters would be selected for the Games. "That they are asking more questions is ... fantastic," said James Pollard, a member of the International Roller Skating Federation's Central Committee. (Here's the Planet story!) (Tuesday, February 15, 2005)

So What Will It Look Like If Roller Sports Makes It Into the 2012 Olympics? -The International Roller Sports Federation has come up with a compact, budget-minded proposal designed to gain a toehold in the Olympic Games. The proposal calls for two days of inline speed skating (no hockey or figure skating) on a small outdoor racecourse. The 72 athletes would compete in four events. The shortest would be a 300 meter time-trial; the longest, a 20 kilometer elimination. (Here's the Planet story!) (February 11, 2005)

USA Fit Assumes Leadership Role in Inline Skating - The organization that is filling the shoes of the International Inline Skating Association (IISA) is starting work on a plan to promote the sport. And that's a good thing because the "right-sizing" of IISA has functionally "mothballed" the association, its chairman says. (Here's the Planet story!) (February 10, 2005)

U.S. Skaters May Have to Pay Their Own Way to World Events - U.S. skaters are being warned that they may have to pay their own airfare this year to compete in the Inline World Championships in China and the World Games in Germany. USA Roller Sports (USARS) has asked the U.S. Olympic Committee for money to cover the travel expenses. But the Olympic Committee has said that it may not be able to provide it, said the USARS's executive director Richard Hawkins. (Here's the Planet story!) (February 9, 2005)

Sabatino Aracu's Election as FIRS President Is Considered a Foregone Conclusion - For one thing, no one but Aracu has been nominated for the top spot on the International Roller Sports Federation. For another, nominations were formally closed 27 days ago. And to make it all neat and pretty, Aracu is considered an eminently qualified candidate and just happens to have connections with the Olympics, which is where the federation wants to go! (Here's the Planet story!) (Tuesday, February 8, 2005)

Organizers Cancel Inaugural Long Beach Grand Prix Event! - Just received word from International City Racing: It has decided to cancel the inaugural Long Beach Grand Prix event, which it had scheduled for April 3. The event, which was to include an 8-mile inline race and a skate-cycle-run triathlon, was planned as a way to build attendance for the Long Beach Marathon. But the organizers decided they didn't have enough time to prepare the event. So they have decided to hold off on it until 2006. (Here's the Planet story!) (Tuesday, February 8, 2005)

World Record Holder Will Again Miss a Number of the Season's Big Races
Once again this year, Roger Schneider will not be skating the full World Inline Cup schedule. Instead, the 22-year-old Swiss speedster (who owns the bragging rights as the world's fastest marathon skater) will be skating a partial schedule as a member of the Fila Mentos team. (Read the Planet story with photo of Roger hangin' with the wild man: Eddy Matzger) (Monday, February 7, 2005)

FIRS Believes Inline Racing Is The Only Roller Sport With a Shot at the Olympics
No roller sport, except for speed skating, has any chance of making it into the 2012 Olympics, according to an official of the International Federation of Roller Sports. If he's right, artistic roller skating, roller hockey and inline downhill racing are out. ... But what about aggressive skating? Some think aggressive skating may pull inline racing into the Games. Here's the planet story. (January 20, 2005)

Rollerblade Joins with Zephyr to Save Free Lesson Program
With the downsizing of the International Inline Skating Association, it has been unclear what would happen to FreeSkateLesson.com, the site that has helped many beginners learn to skate. But fortunately, Rollerblade has jumped into the breach and (along with Zephyr Adventures) is keeping the program going, albeit in revised form. Students will now get one free group OR private lesson. But they will only have 11 schools in the U.S. to pick from. Here's the Planet story! (Tuesday, January 18, 2005)

New Grand Prix Event Is Intended to Boost Participation in the Long Beach Marathon
The new Long Beach Grand Prix event (April 3) is actually four events, including an eight mile inline race and a triathlon, in which the usual swim portion will be replaced by a skate portion. Bob Seagren of International City Racing says the idea of the new event is to "grow" participation in the Long Beach Marathon. ... You've got to hand it to Bob and the others at International City Racing: Rather than retreating from inline racing, they are trying to develop it. Sure hope it works! Here's an interview with Bob, in which he talks about the new event. (Friday, January 14, 2005)

The 2005 Long Beach Inline Marathon Will Roll After All!
Just got a note from Bob Seagren of International City Racing, the company that puts on the Long Beach Marathon. The 2005 Long Beach Inline Marathon is a go! The company considered canning the 6-year-old event after two major sponsors pulled out last year. But it has decided to go ahead with it. And (who would have guessed it!) the company has decided to create a new inline event: an 8-mile race April 3 on the Long Beach Grand Prix race course. ... Here's the story! (Wednesday, January 12, 2005)

"Faster - Smoother - Easier Skating: Only $4.95 a Pair"
Inexpensive, inline and ignored ... Christian Siffert's inline skates from 1938 had lots of things going for them, even a heel brake that looks very similar to the ones found on modern inline skates. And the price? Unbeatable at $4.95 a pair! Here's a story about them, including an ad featuring them in a 1948 issue of Popular Mechanics, which was sent to me by Rollerblade founder Scott Olson. ... It would be fun to try these skates. Looks like they would roll just fine. (Tuesday, January 4, 2005)

The Illustrated History of Inline Skate Design at the U.S. Patent Office
The U.S. Patent Office is a treasure trove of information about the history of inline skating. And I've been raiding the place! The result is a work in progress: The Illustrated History of Inline Skate Design at the U.S. Patent Office. I've started a patent gallery, which you'll find here. I've also posted a story about the first skate in the gallery -- Shaler's rubber-belted Parlor Skate from 1860. Check it out! (Thursday, December 30, 2004)

It's Not Being Downsized, It's Being "Right-Sized"!
In a press release spilling with spin, the International Inline Skating Association explains that it isn't downsizing, it's "right-sizing." Why? Because the organization has completed its task. "Mission Accomplished," it proclaims. ... Hmm. The last time I heard that one some guy was standing on the deck of an aircraft carrier wearing a flight suit! ... Anyway, here's the press release with commentary. (Wednesday, December 22, 2004) (Updated with comment from IISA board chairman Keith D'Entremont: Thursday, December 23, 2004)

No Plans to Hire a New IISA Director
There are no immediate plans to hire a replacement for the departing director of the International Inline Skating Association, according to Rollerblade's Nick Skally. Instead, the trade organization will be restructured into an "informational resource." ... Exactly what that means is not clear. But it appears that IISA is being streamlined, which is not surprising given the recent decline in inline skate sales. Here's what we've got so far on the story. (Wednesday, December 22, 2004)

Changes at International Inline Skating Association
The executive director of the IISA has jumped ship to go to the granddaddy of sports associations, the Sporting Goods Manufacturer's Association. Kalinda Mathis has been with IISA for 11 years, seven as director. In her absence, IISA will be restructured, according to the Sporting Goods Business website. (Tuesday, December 21, 2004)

No Decision Yet on Long Beach Inline Marathon
No decision, no new sponsors ... no one even looking for new sponsors! ... The buzzards are circling around this event. Here's the story. (Saturday, December 11, 2004)

Only Three Skaters Race in Los Cabos Inline Marathon, But Organizers Predict BIgger Turnout Next Year
Attendance this low would have lessor souls pleading "No mas." But not these promoters! They are already taking about the bigger crowd they expect next year. Here's the Planet Report on the inaugaral Los Cabos Inline Marathon ... which still may be turn out to be the start of something big! (Friday, December 10, 2004)

Big Wheels Rolling at Motor City Madness
One of the side stories of the Motor City Madness Thanksgiving invitational was the appearance of Big Wheels. We talked to Wolverines coach Robb Dunn about it. He says the new 100 and 90 mm wheels "definitely opened up some eyes." More than one of the winners rolled over the finish line on big wheels ... and then there were the Jolly Green Giants. ... Here's the story. (Thursday, December 9, 2004)

Is This the Start of Inline Marathoning in Mexico? - The promoters of the new Los Cabos Inline Marathon are billing their event as the first of its kind for Latin America. We would like to think of it as the start of a trend. Here's the Planet Preview of the Los Cabos Inline Marathon with an interview with the head honcho, Rodolfo Gomez. ... Yes, that Rodolfo Gomez! ... The great Mexican marathon runner from the 1980s! (Tuesday, November 30, 2004)

Holiday Gift Idea No. 1 ... The 2005 Go Play In the Street Calendar
Yeah, I know, we've still got a week to go before Thanksgiving. But in the digital world, you've got to think ahead. So if you are looking for a great gift for that inline junkie on your list, here's just the thing --- and it won't set you back a racing boot or a frame! --- the 2005 Go Play in the Street Inline Skating Calendar. Here's the story. ... And get your credit card ready! (Thursday, November 18, 2004)

Salomon Is Rolling Out Its Own Big Wheels for 2005
Rollerblade and K2 won't be the only skate makers trolling the market with Big Wheel skates next year. Salomon has refashioned its high-end Pilot Pro line with two hi-low models, one with three 100 mm wheels and one 84 mm wheel, and the another with three 90s and one 84. Typical of Salomon, they are very pretty! Here's what we know so far along with some photos. (Friday, November 12, 2004)

Famed SF Skate Shop, Skates on Haight, To Close in 2005
After 30 years in business, the San Francisco landmark will be closing its doors ... at least, its physical doors. Its virtual doors will be open 24-7 at skates.com. Here's the Planet story. (Thursday, November 11, 2004)

The Silver Strand's Silver Lining!
The Silver Strand Half Marathon in San Diego (this Sunday) is only in its second year, but it's a healthy little event that offers hope for the future. There's no talk of doing away with this race. In fact, the promotor is talking about creating an all-new, full inline marathon for 2006. Our hat's off to this great fledgling event! Here's the Planet Preview of the Silver Strand Half Marathon. (Tuesday, November 9, 2004)

Cactus Classic Inline Marathon May Roll Into the Sunset After This Year's Race!
The funky little marathon in the desert may be the latest roadkill on the inline highway. This year's event (Nov. 7) is safe, the race director says. But if new sponsors can't be found, the Cactus Classic will be as endangered as Wiley Coyote. Here's the Inline Planet story. (Saturday, October 30, 2004)

The Athens to Atlanta: the Race That Takes Everything You Got ... And Then Some!
The A2A Ultra Marathon is an inline skate race that tests the body and the soul of a racer. It's long: 87 mile. It's tough: hills from start to finish. And it's an American classic! Here's the Planet preview of the Athens to Atlanta with an interview with Kim Perkins, who has won the women's race the past two years.

Inline Skating Has Grown by 310 Percent in Last 13 Years!
Don't tell me inline skating is dying! The only outdoor sport that has grown faster in the United States in the past decade is mountain biking. And even though mountain biking has grown faster, there are still only 6.9 million mountain bikers on the trails compared to 19.2 million inline skaters!

Rollerblade to Roll Out 100 mm Skates for 2005!
One hundred millimeter wheels aren't just going to be for those World Cup hot shots anymore! In February 2005, Rollerblade plans to add two 100 mm skates to its lineup: the ProBlade and the Lightning 10. Both will sport four 100 mm wheels. And if that's too much for you, you might think about the Lightning 6. It will sport four 90 mm wheels.

The Long Beach Inline Marathon May Get the Axe ... Things are not looking good for the Long Beach Inline Marathon, the largest inline racing event in California. According to Long Beach race director Dan Joyce, the event is headed for extinction unless new sponsors can be found to keep it rolling.

The Original and Still Champion: NorthShore Inline Marathon ... If you can get there, get there! ... This is one great skating event ... and not just for those hot shot World Cup speedsters.

Interview With the NorthShore Marathon Man ... You betcha this Minnesota guy was ready to talk skating. And as one of the founders and still executive direction of the greatest U.S. inline marathon, Chuck Carlberg had a lot to say. Read it!

Part II of Marathon Man Interview ... How good of a skater do you have to be to skate the NorthShore? What's the future for inline marathons? ... Chuck's got the answers.

Mayor Explains ... Sort of ... Why Town Banned Skates ... Says skateboarders were "running down" residents. ... (So why ban inline skaters!)

Don't HIT (Ouch!) the Trail Without it! ... Wear Protection or Mr. Bumpy Will Chomp You

A Review of Salomon's Gel Knee Pads ... Are these the best knee pads on the market? ... Best I've tried anyhow. Four stars.

How to Start Skating, Part l: Your First Steps ... Here's a step-by-step guide that will transform you from Gumby to Giselle in ... well, not that long!

How to Start Skating, Part ll: Your First Strides ... You've learned how to walk on your inline skates. Now it's time to learn how to start rolling!

The Seven Deadly Sins of Beginning Inline Skaters ... The Top 7 mistakes made by beginning inline skaters and how to avoid them. ... Read this before you head out there!

Start With Skates That Fit ... Don't make the mistake of starting out with skates that don't fit ... and I'm not only taking about your fit here. But your skating ability. ... Give yourself a chance. Start with the right skates!

Don't Try Hills Until You're Ready ... Lots of beautiful skating relationships have been destroyed by rushing into hills too quickly. New skaters should practice hill abstinence. Just say no — to hills!